Thread: How do I transport all of my Halloween decorations? Suggestions please!

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So it's that time of year where I make the 2hr car drive up north to pick up my Halloween boxes from storage. Just to clarify, due to circumstances I can't control, all of my decorations and props are being stored 2hrs away (150 miles) from my home. This year I have so many bins of stuff that it is really not feasible to make multiple trips with my lowly sedan to bring the boxes back home. I have roughly 17 bins full of decorations. I estimate that they would take up maybe 2/3rds of a cargo van. I do not think they would fit in a pickup truck without some serious double stacking or a very long bed truck.

Here's the question for you all: what's the cheapest way for me to get this stuff home in one round trip? I don't have a friend with a pickup truck. So where can I rent a vehicle on the cheap that would allow me to drive 150mi up north and back again either in one day or over 2 days. Ideally, I think I should try to rent a cargo van from a regular rental car company. Or would it be more affordable to get the smallest u-haul that's available? I also hear Lowes and Home Depot rent trucks/vans, but these are by the hour I believe.

I'll be traveling 150 miles each way, and I would be able to do this all in one day, but I'd prefer to go up there, organize and load the bins, spend the night, and then come back home. Any advice for vehicle rentals? Keep in mind that I'll probably need the vehicle for two days (just one night) and will drive it 300 miles total. I'm not asking you to go do price comparisons for me, but any advice would be very helpful!

If you have to take the bins back, then put a hitch on your lowly sedan and buy a cheap trailer..

You outta call your local Uhaul dealer and see what kind of deal they have...they even have small trailers.

I agree with Scatterbrains. Uhaul is the way to go, it should be pretty cheap to rent the trailer and maybe you can find a friend with a truck and you can pay for gas and food.

Goodluck

I agree with scatterbrains.

Do you need everything in the 17 bins?

Could you make a list of what you need, and just get those items.

Do you have friends who would be willing to caravan up to storage area and help you take boxes back in their cars? (especially those people who enjoy your display, attend your party). You could even offer them use of some decorations in exchange for the help.

Or put the word out to your friends. Often people may be able to borrow a truck from their work, or borrow a friend's/ family member's vehicle. The cost of a small gift or dinner out might be much cheaper than renting a truck yourself.

Have you checked the cost of shipping, or moving companies...

How about renting one of those "pack rat" storage containers. They drop the storage container at your desired location. You fill the container at your convience. They pick up the container and deliver it to your new location.

You might even be able to "hire" someone to drive you and help you load annd unload boxes. In this bad economy... people are willing to do a lot for a couple of dollars and a tank of gas.

If your car has a big enough engine, I would opt to buy a car hitch so you can pull a med sized enclosed rental trailer. The gas, insurance and fees you spend for one way rental will be equivalent in total cost. At least at the end of it, you will own the car trailer hitch set-up. Mine car's tow set-up cost me $135 and was easy to install. I can pull seadoos, small light boats(under 15ft) or light tongue weight trailers. Its a thought and possibility... The best of luck to you!

***NOTE: Make sure the hitch is approved type by the rental company prior to purchase or rental agreement/commitments. This way you play it safe and know before hand!

If there's a will, there's a way

Originally Posted by Scatterbrains

If there's a will, there's a way

heheheh scatter.... I agree with you!

I just saw someone load 15-20 SIXTY pound bags of cement in the passanger seats of their BMW.

The car was dragging and sparking.... and all the guy cared about was the cement dust on his leather seats....??????

My first thought was to look on Craigslist and buy a small trailer. In the long run it will save you money and time in the future.

Uhal is pretty cheap. Depending on your area you may be able to get a small hitch trailer and pull it on your car.

I would be seeing about bring home your 17 bins home for good. Instead of having to make that 150 miles both way. But uhal is cheap way to go, but then again, everyone else saying is good too.